Red Bulls sign Kemar Lawrence

HARRISON, N.J. (March 16, 2015) – The New York Red Bulls have completed the transfer of Jamaican international Kemar Lawrence from Jamaican side Harbour View F.C., pending a physical, approval of a p-1 Visa and receipt of International Transfer Certificate, the club announced today. Lawrence has been on trial with New York since the start of the second preseason camp in Sarasota.

Per league rules, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re delighted to be able to add Kemar to our club,” said Red Bulls sporting director Ali Curtis. “He is a promising young player with experience at a big club in Jamaica and with the national team. His style of play fits with what we’re trying to establish here.”

The 22-year-old Kingston native signed with Harbour View in 2007, and broke into the senior team in 2011. He made 50 appearances for the club between 2011 and 2014, winning the Jamaican National Premier League in 2013.

“It is a step in the right direction, and thanks to all my team-mates, coaches, club, agent, family and friends,” said Lawrence in a statement. “It was possible because they stuck around and kept their prayers going day after day, saying that there is going to be a breakthrough.

Lawrence began his youth career with Rae Town F.C. in the Jamaican second division, and spent time in residency with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2009, when the club competed in the USL first division.

Lawrence’s international career began with Under-17 appearances for Jamaica. He was first called into the senior national team for a CONCACAF qualifier against Panama in September 2013, and earned his first cap in November of the same year in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago. He has made 13 appearances for the national team to date, and was part of the Caribbean Cup-winning side in 2014.